Flying-machine.



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No. 851,895. PATENTED APR. 30, 1907. M. NIAL.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.14,1e05.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 851,895. PATENTED APR. 30, 1907. M. NIAL.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED 001214, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

WITNESS/5S.'

/NvE/vro/f jm By w Arrow/Ey PATENTED APR. 30, 1907.

M. NIAL.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED oo1.14,1so5.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented April 30, 1907.

, Application filed October 14, 1905. Serial No. 282.709.

To (LZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEwN IAL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in I `lyingl\/Iacliines, of which the following is a speciiicatio'n.

The invention relates to improvements in flying-machines, and it consists in the novel features, arrangements, construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims. -V The object of the invention is to produce a no vel and eiiicient fiying machine of simple and durable construction and possessing a number of wings at opposite sides thereof and arranged one above another, with means under the controlof the operator for actuating said wings to elevate and propel the machine. The machine is also provided with suitable meansfor steering the same.

The invention will be fully understood from the detailed description hereinafter presented, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a machine constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention, a few of the middle wings being partly broken away for clearness of illustration; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of same on the dotted line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of same on the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlargedtop view of one of the standards to which the win s are hinged, a portion of the wings being ilIustrated; Fig. 5 is a vertical section of sainepn the dotted line 5 5 of Fig. 4; Figlqii an enlarged horizontal section .through a portion of the machine on the dotted line 6 6 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 7 is an enlar ed edge view of one of the wings.

'he body of the machine comprises a series of U-shaped frames 10, arranged in arallelism and at suitable distances apart, t e vertical members of said frames being designated by the numeral 11 and affording standards extending upwardly along eachv side of the machine. The standards 11 are connected at their upper ends, along each side of the machine, by rods or tubing 12, and adjacent to their lower portions by means of rods or tubing 13. The horizontal members of the frames 10 are connected bv longitudinal sills or beams 14 which are preferably of wood set on edge.

:The U-shaped frames 10 are preferably each in one integral piece and formed from tubing which is square or rectangular in cross-section, as more clearly illustrated in Figs.' 4 and 6, the frames thus constructed being very stron and not of unnecessary weight, and in a dition they provide suitable supports for the pivots of the wings 15, by which the machine is propelled. The standaids 11 formed by the frames 10 are kept arallel with each other and properly braced) by means of the rods or tubes 12, 13, which extend lengthwise of the machine. I shall preferably brace some or all of the standards 11 by means of transverse rods or tubes 16 (Fig. 3) extending transversely of the machine and connecting said standards.

The general machine will be provided with suitable supporting wheels 17 of usual character, and at a suitable oint in the bed of the machine the latter w l be furnished with a seat 18 for the operator, which seat will be mounted upon tracks 19 so that it may have 'a lon itudinally sliding movement, as require and for the purposes hereinafter explained.

At the forward end of the bed of the machine I provide a forwardly and upwardly inclined frame 20, which may be formed by continuing the lower tubular rods 13 forwardly on converging lines, as shown in Fig. 1 and connecting their outer ends by a transverse member 21, whereby an Open frame is formed, which frame, vat its lower side, I cover with canvas, oiled silk, or other suitable material 22, so as to form a forwardly projecting upwardly inclined light member against which the air may act during the forward movement of the machine. -The frame 2O may be strengthened or braced by means of rods 23 extending from the forward ends of the wooden sills or beams 14, to the outer ends Of the rods 13, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. At the forward end of the frame 20Ipivotally mount a standard 24 to which is secured the rudder 25, which will be Operated by the attendant on the seat 18 through cables or cords 26,'the latter extending along the opposite sides of the machines and being connected at their front ends to the rudder 25 and at their other ends being connected to a windlass 27 in .convenient relation to the seat 18. The cables or cords 26 after leaving the rudder 25 pass over pulley wheels 28 and thence extend along the oppositesides of the machine and nally pass over pulley-wheels 29,

whence said cables or cords pass directly to' IOO IDC

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the Windlass 27, as more clearly indicated in Fig. 1. When the windlass is turned it Will wind up on one cord or cable 26 and pay out lwardly, as indicated inFig. 3.

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tudinal beams or sills 14, whence said rods diverge and incline rearwardly and downserves two purposes, one being to provide an .effective surface for bearing downwardly against the air, and the other being' to facilitate the steering of the machine. In order that the operator on the seat 18 mayhave proper control of the frame 30, I provide two cords or cables 33 eXtendingfrom the outer' ends of the rods 31 to points adjacent to said seat, asl shown in Fig. 1. pulling inwardly -on' -both of the' cords or cales 33 with equal force may vary the inclination of the outer portion of the frame 30,

turning said portion upwardly on a curved line, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The cords or cables 33 may also be independently operated. When the attendant pulls on either one of the cords or cables 33, the outer corner of the frame 30 connected therewith will be curved upwardly thereb and the course of the machine varied accor ingly. The operator may therefore pull on both the cords-or cables 33 simultaneously or on one at a time as he may desire. The frame 30 due to the fact that either outer corner of the same may be turned upwardly to meet the wind, may be used for steering the machine and may be fully relied upon for this purpose should the rudder 25for any reason become broken or disarranged. It is preferable to employ both the frame 30 and rudder 25, since 1t might be desired to utilize the full bearing eifectof the entire frame 30` and-to steer' the machine by means of the rudder 25 instead of making use of the frame 30 for` steering purposes,

The wings 15 are utilized for propelling the machine and form an important part thereof. The wings 15 are arranged in sets of pairs, one pair being above another, at each side of the machine, as lshown in Fig. 3, and the wings on one standard 11 are alternated or out of horizontal alinement with the wings on the ad` acent standards 1 1, as shown in Fig. 2.

The w1ngs'15- all correspond with one another' in form and construction, and each comprises' a stiff. transverse bar 34A anda vane' composed referably be of 'flexiblecharacter and I pre er to construct them from' The inner ends of the rods 31 are; v rigidly fastened to the rear ends of the longi- The frame 30y The operator by arched, an'df'preferably the bars 34 will be made hollow 'for securing lightness. In instances in which natural feathers cannot be secured for the wings Iwillsubs-titute as accua flexibleA frame of oiled: sil or other light strong material secured to ribs re resentmg the quills of the feathers., The oi ed silk or other fabric may be in strips secured vto the ribs and overlapping in series, and in such in- -stance the outer ends of allthe strips should be secured to one another in series, so as to form an efficient wing and preserve thedue overlapping relation of the strips to one another during the .operation of the wings; the inner ends of the strips should also be secured across their width.

The bars 34 for the pairs of win' are opposite to each otherat opposite sidds of the standards 1'1, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and-5,' and extend transversely of the machine, and

' rate an imitation for them as ossible, such as said bars at their inner ends are fastened bev 'tween upper and lower plates of hinges 36 (Figs. 4 and 5) which are' secured to-the standards 11 by means of pins 37. The inner ends of the hinges' 36 are forkedto pass partly upon the front and rear sides of the standards 11., and said hinges are formed with vertical o enings' 38, which; permit the passage t roughthem of the cables or ropes39, 4.0-by

which='the wings are operated, as. hereinafter explained.. The openings 38- in thehin'ges 36 also permit the wings to have a proper up said openings may' also form stops to contact -wi'th'- the standards 11 and prevent the folding upwardly `of the wings against the'sides of said standards shouldy a breakage occur in the cablesv 39, '40' or other accident happen whereby the wings should, be left without proper control. The` advantage of arresting the wings-so thatthey may not fold' vertically upward in case of' accident is' to enablel the wings to form: a parachute and prevent the descent of the machine with undue rapidity.

All of the wings on the machine are; oper-v ated simultaneously by means of the auxiliary cables 39, 40 at each standard 11 and the main cables 41, 42'- extending lengthwise of the bed of the machineand to which all the cables 39,. 40 are connected'.l 'Ihe cables 41, 42 derive their fole-and-aftl movements 'from av gasolene or other sintable motor 90.

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and downE hinged movement and the walls of 'All the Wings at the outer side of each standard 11 are connected together and kelpt pro erly s aced a art by one reach of t 1e cabfe 39, wliich is astened to each of said wings and extends u wardly over a top ulley 43, whence the ot -er reach of the cafile passes downwardly along the inner side of the standard 11 and through the openings 38 in the hinges 36; and all the wings at the inner side of each standard 11 are likewise connected together and kept roperl y spaced apart by 'one reach of the ca le 40 which is fastened to each of said wings and extends upwardl over a top pulley 44, whence the other reac 1 of said cable passes downwardly along the outer side of the standard 11 and through the openings 38 in the hinges 36 in its path. The mner reaches of the cables 39, 40 or those which lie close to the sides of the standard 11 are fastened together at a convenient point below the lower pair of wings and thence continue as a single cable 45 around under a pulley 46 (Fig. 6) and thence t0 and around a pulley 47 to the main cable 41 (or 42 as the case may be), to which the end of said cable 45 is securely fastened; and the outer reaches 0f the cables 39, 40 or those which are-fastened directly to the wings are fastened together at a convenient point below the lower pair of wings and thence continue as a single cable 48 around under a pulley 49 (Fig. 6) and thence to and around a pulley 50 (directly below pulley 47) to the main cable 41 (or 42 as the case may be) to which tle end of said cable 48 is securely fastened so as to draw in the opposite direction to cable 45. With all of the cables 39, 46 at one side of the machine vthus secured to the cable 41 and all of the cables 39, 40 at the other side ofthe machine thus secured to the cable 42, it is obvious that on a `forward movement of the cables 41, 42 theywill by pulling on the inner reaches of all the cables 39, 40 and paying out the outer reaches of same effect t 1e upward movement of all the wings, and that on a rearward mo vement of the cables 41, 42 they will by pulling on the outer reaches of the cables 39, 40 and paying `out the inner reaches )f same effect the downward movement of all the wings. The cables 41, 42 by performinga reciprocating movement, are thus enabled to effect, through the cables 39, 40,`the proper up and down inged movements of the wings. The pulleys 43, 44 are mounted in the standards `11 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5; the pulleys 46, 49 are mounted in straps 51 secured to the standards 11, and the pulleys 47, 5() are supported in the longitudinal sills 14.

The cables 41, 42 are more clearly shown in Fig. 1, in which it may be seen that said cables respectively pass around pulleys 52, 53 mounted on pins held by bars 54, and that the rear portions of said cables are brought together and the front portions of said cables are brought together and all secured to a single longitudinal cable 55, which is secured to a block or grip 56 carried by a pivoted lever 57 from which a fore-and-aft motion is imparted to the cable 55 and through it to the cables 41, 42 by which the cables 39, 40 are actuated to o erate. the wings 15. The lever 57 is' operated) by means of .any suitable crank or driving mechanism of usual character from the motor or engine 90, as shown in Fig. 2, which mechanism being of well known character requires no special description. The lever 57 will have a uniform extent of stroke but the speed of this stroke may be varied or regulated from the engine or motor 90, and the extent of movement to be imparted to the cable 55 and consequently to the wings 15 during each stroke of the lever 57 may be regulated by varyinfT the position of the block or grip 56 with relation to the pivot point of the lever 57. The nearer the block or grip 56 is ad- {usted toward the fulcrum of the lever 57 the ess will be the extent of movement imparted to the cables and wings by said lever. 'lhe block or grip 56 may be adjusted on thc lever 57 in various ways well undcrstood by mechanics and any of these methods may be ado ted. Usually the block or grip 56 will be s idable on the lever 57 and moved by a bell-crank lever operated by the attendant from the seat 18. In the drawings l illus trate the block 56 as being in the form of a sleeve encompassing and slidable on the lever 57 and therefore capable of adjustment toward or from the fulcrum of said lever.

The operation of the machine will be largely understood from the detailed description hereinafter presented. The engine or 1motor 90 having been set in motion it will rock the lever 57 and this lever will through the cables 55, 41,42, 39, 40 actuate the wings 15 to drive or propel the machine. As soon as sufficient forward speed has been generated the machine will rise and be propelled through the air. The upwardly inclined frame 2O aids in the ascent of the machine; the rear frame 30 affords a bearing surface; the rudder 25 may be used for steering the machine, and the frame 30 may likewise be used for steerin the machine and controlling its position. he seat 18 is made slidable so that the o erator may by moving said seat readily adjust the center of gravity of the machine. The wings 15 afford effective bearing surfaces and due to their construc tion exert a powerful influence in driving the machine forward.

All parts of the machine have been constructed and' assembled with the view of securing great strength without unnecessary weight and of producing a safe and efficient flyin machine.

Wflat I claim as my invention and desire to secure b Letters-Patent, is

1. In a ying machine, a body-frame hav- IOO below the horizontal plane of said wings and' against which the air may act to aid 1n the ascent of themachine," a rudder for steerin the machine and'means for operating sai rudder ;v substantially as set forth.

2. In a flying machine, a bod -frame having a series of standards at eac side of the center thereof, and hinged propeller-wings mounted in 'pairs one above another on said standards, said Wings eachcomprising a stiff bar and rearwardly extending vane, and said wings being adapted, when actuated, for pro-.

pelling the machine through the air, combined with means for simultaneously actuating said wings, an upwardly inclined forwardly extending coveredframe 20 secured tothe forward end of said body-frame below the horizontal plane oflsaid wings and against which the air may act to aid inthe ascent of the machine, a standard 24 mounted on the forward portion of said frame 20, a rudder 25 secured on said standard for steering the machine, and means for operating said rudder; substantially as set forth. v

3. In a flying machine, a body frame having standards at each sideof the'center lthereof, and hinged wings mounted in pairs one above another 'on said standards, said pairs of wings being disposed so that the wings on one standard will be out of4 alinement with the wings on the adjacent standards, combined with means for simultaneously actuating all of said wings; -substantially asset forth.

4. In a flying machine, a body-frame having a seriesv of standards at each`side of the centerthereof, and hinged propeller-wings mounted inpairs one above another on said standards, said wings each comprising a stid bar and rearwardly extending vane, and said wings being adapted, when actuated, for propelling the machine through the air, combined with means for simultaneously actuating said wings, an upwardly inchned forwardly extending covered frame 2Q secured to the forward end of said body-framebelow the horizontal plane of said wingsl and against which the. 'air may act to aid in the ascent ofthe machine, a rudder for steering the machine, and a downwardly inclined tail-frame -on the rear end of said bodyframe below the horizontal vplane of .said wings; substantially as set forth.

5. In a flying machine, a body frame hav- 'mg standards at each side of the center thereof, and hinged wings mounted in pairs on said standards, combined with means for operating said wings, an upwardly inclined frame having a covering thereon on the forward end ofthe machine, a'downwardly inclined tail-frame on the rear end of the machine formed of flexible side rods connected by a fabric, and connections for deflecting said'. rods forth.

6. In a flying machine, a body-frame hav ing standards at each side of the center thereof, and hinged wings mounted on said standards, combined wlth a motor carried by the machine, a longitudinally disposed cable connected to receive a reciprocating movement from said motor, and cables connected to the opposite sides -of said wings and to said longitudinal cable, whereby the latter is enabled to actuate said wings; substantially as set forth.

7. In a liying machine, a body-frame having standards at each side of the center thereof, and hinged wings mounted on said standards, combined with a motor carried by the machine, a longitudinally disposed cable mounted to have a reciprocating movement, a rocking lever to which said cable is connected and from which it receives its movements, means for actuating said lever from said motor, and cables connected to the opposite sides of said wings and to said longitudinal cable, whereby the latter is enabled to actuate said wings; substantially as set forth.

8. In a flying machine, a body-frame havupwardly; vsubstam'ially asset 5 i .75

ing standards at each side of the center Y thereof, and hinged wings mounted on said standards, combined .with a motor carried by the machine, a longitudinally disposed cable 'mounted to have a reciprocating movement, a rocking lever to which said cable is connected and from which it receives its movement, means enabling the adjustment of the point of connection of said cable with said lever toward or from the fulcrum of the leverv for varying the stroke of the wings, means for actuating said lever from said motor, and cables connected to the opposite sides of said- Wings and to said longitudinal cable, whereby the latter is enabled t0 actuate said wings; substantially `as set forth. y

9. In a flying-machine, a bod -frame having standards at each side o the center thereof, hinged wings mounted in pairs on said standards, means for actuating said log III

wings, andstops for preventing said wings ried'by the machine, a longitudinally-dis- .posed cable connected to receive a reclprocating movement from said motor, and cables connected to the opposite sides of said and to said lon 'tudinal cable, whereby the latter is enab ed to actuate said wings; substantially as set forth.

11. In'a `flying machine, aA body-frame having standards at each side of the center thereof,`hinged wings mounted in pairs on said standards and ulleys above and below the sets of wings, t e hinges of said wings having vertical openin s in them adjacent to said standards, comined with a motor carried b the machine, a longitudinally disposed ca leconnected to receive a reciprocating motion from said motor, cables at eachv of said standards passin over said pulleys and connected to said ongitudinal cable and to the opposite sides of said wings, whereby the latter may be operated from said longitudinal cable, the reaches of said cables `not directl connected with `said being exten ed close along the sides of said standards and through said openings in said hinges; substantially as set forth.

12. In a ilying machine, a bod -frame comprising a set of hollow U-shape frames settransversely, longitudinal bars connecting the horizontal members of said frames, and rods connecting the vertical members of said frames, said vertical members forming standards, combined with hinged wings mounted in pairs on said standards, and means forl actuating said wings; substantially as set forth.

13. In a flying machine,ffabody-frame havin standards at each side thereof, wings hinge in pairs on said standards,l a sliding seat for the operator so that he may readily vary the center of gravity of the machine, means for actuating said wings, and means for steering the machine; subtantially as set forth.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York this 13th day of October A. D. 1905.

MATTHEW NLAL. 

